1962 Shelby Cobra Roadster

The 1962 Shelby 260 Cobra with chassis number CSX 2005 wears the fifth production chassis number allotted. It is an early production 260 Cobra that was originally delivered by AC Cars Limited to Shelby American finished in red with black leather. The first owner was Richard J. Neil Jr. of Honolulu, Hawaii. It is believed that the car had a mechanical issue with the Cobra on a cross-country trip to California, and subsequently traded the 260 to Shelby American for another Cobra. After CSX 2005 had returned to Shelby American, it was used for promotional purposes. During this time, the car was featured in the motion picture The Killers, starring Lee Marvin, John Cassavetes, Angie Dickinson, and Ronald Reagan. In the film, CSX 2005 wore a black livery with the race number '98.' An invoice remains from Shelby American to Universal City, Revue Studios for 'Repair of Cobra CSX #2005 damaged by you' from February 11, 1964.

On June 16, 1964, the 260 Cobra was invoiced to the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. At the time, it was presented in light metallic blue with a black interior, a roll bar - void of bumper guards - and wearing 'T' for 'trainer' on the roundels. During the car's time with the school, it saw use at Riverside Raceway by individuals including James Garner and Miss Universe, while Pete Brock and John Timanus served as instructors.

In the August 1964 issue of Sports Car, the car and the school were both featured. They were also featured in the August 1964 issue of Ford Times, and the September 1964 issue of Car and Driver.

After the car left the Carroll Shelby School, the Cobra seemingly disappeared from the limelight. Don Bell of Seattle purchased the car in the 1970s. Mr. Bell used the car with some regularity and, in August 1976, he attended SAAC-1 in Oakland, its only noted public display. The car was later put away, for what would become years of static storage.

The current owner acquired the Shelby 289 in 2010. A complete restoration soon followed, bringing it back to the condition it was in when it was used as the driving school trainer.

The car has is complete and has its original engine, transmission, and rear end. The correct Ford XHP-260-5 engine has the proper two-barrel Autolite carburetor and rare air cleaner. There are Smiths gauges and a Lucas generator, which include the seldom-seen tachometer drive of the back of the generator. The steering wheel is that of an AC, the radiator is a Harrison type, and the foot box was finished in black. The car does not have a chassis plate, correct for the first 200 cars. The inside lace wheels, used while at the school, were fitted with correct, period Goodyear tires. The body has minimal fender fares and are void of side vents.

Upon completion of the restoration, the car was displayed at the NHRA Motorsports Museum, the SAAC-38, and several other seminars and events related to Shelby Cobras.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014